Welcome To Sweetney's Blog: 2012

Thursday, December 20

Styl Plus moves on as Tunde exits

Styl Plus – Tunda, Zeal and Shiffi

After working for nine years as an R&B group – STYL Plus will be saying goodbye to one of its founding members Tunde Akinsanmi.

Over the weekend, the news of Tunde leaving to pursue a solo career hit the ‘blogosphere’. The group has now told NET that Tunde is leaving, but STYL Plus is not ‘breaking up’.

‘We owe it to our fans to clear the air on this matter. In the process of working towards a collective vision, in this vein, Tunde Akinsanmi has decided to pursue a solo career and delve into other ventures that are not Styl-Plus’s priority at the moment‘, a rep for the group and One Management said in a statement.

The statement says the group’s musical projects will go on as usual: Shifi and Zeal say they’ll be releasing a new single titl

Perk ... stylist tweaks J-Lo's nipples

THE pampered world of celebrities throws up some weird and wonderful jobs – as Candice Swanepoel’s bottom-washer would no doubt testify.

The Victoria’s Secret beauty was seen having her sandy bum rinsed off by a helpful aide during a photoshoot in St Bart’s on Monday.
And last week, another worker was seen rubbing sun lotion into the model’s perfect cheeks during another beach shoot.
The intimate acts got us thinking about the best jobs in the showbiz world - and there are some plum positions.

Miss Universe 2012 – Miss USA Olivia Culpo

20-year-old beauty queen Olivia Culpo representing the USA is the new Miss Universe.

Culpo was announced winner on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at the Planet Hollywood casino, Las Vegas, beating 88 other women to earn the coveted title.

After a series of catwalks down the runway which customarily included the swimsuit and evening gown sessions, five women were picked for the final stage; Miss Brazil (Gabriela Markus), Miss USA (Olivia Culpo), Miss Australia (Renae Ayris), Miss Philippines (Janine Tugonon) and Miss Venezuela (Irene Sofia Esser Quintero).

Miss Philippines came in second, while Miss Venezuela placed third. Nigeria’s Isabella Ayuk failed to make the final stage of the competition.

Culpo now takes over from former winner – Miss Universe 2012, Leila Lopes of Angola.

The contestants voted to give the Miss Congeniality crown to Miss Guatemala.

The pageant was hosted by Andy Cohen of the Bravo network and Giuliana Rancic of E! News and aired live on NBC. It was streamed to more than 100 countries.

These two Obama portraits above are the first formal portraits of him since his re-election. Would be a dream to meet him one day!

Firm’s feast

Healthy ... Duchess of Cambridge

THE pregnant Duchess of Cambridge looked ready to eat for two as she arrived for the Royal Christmas party at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

Kate was the picture of health following her stay in hospital after suffering severe morning sickness.

From Vanguard

Smarting from the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi, and four others last Saturday in Bayelsa State, the nation would have witnessed yet another disaster but for providence, as an Overland Airways flight from Ilorin to Lagos suffered technical problems on take-off.

Stripper ... Kieran Hayler is dating model

Xposure

KATIE Price’s new toyboy stripper fella is a secret gay icon.

Saucy videos of beefcake Kieran Hayler’s TV routines have gained him a worldwide fan base.
And the 25-year-old hunk admits he’d love to appear in a gay magazine.
We revealed yesterday how glamour girl Katie, 34, — also known as Jordan — was dating Kieran after the pair were seen canoodling at a charity ladies’ night before going Christmas shopping together.

See the thuglife picture she posted on her instagram page after the cut...

Adele rattled James Bond theme tune off ‘in ten minutes’

Speedy ... Skyfall singer Adele

IT’S supposed to be 007 who goes in and gets the job done, not the singer of the theme tune.

According to producer PAUL EPWORTH, ADELE rattled off the Skyfall theme in ten minutes flat.
He said: “Within ten minutes, she put down most of the vocals. She had the lyrics in her head when she drove over. It was the most absurd thing. She’s fast but it was phenomenal.”
Adele also surprised him with her SHIRLEY BASSEY-style vocal on the track.
“She has an old soul,” he said.

Kelly Clarkson says YES to 'greatest man ever' Brandon Blackstock

Engaged ... Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock

IT's no more Miss Independent for American singer Kelly Clarkson.

The former American Idol winner surprised her Twitter followers on Saturday when she announced her engagement to talent manager boyfriend Brandon Blackstock.
The 30-year-old Since U Been Gone singer said: "I'm engaged. I wanted y'all to know. I am so lucky and am with the greatest man ever."

Feeling better ... Kate Middleton

THE Duchess of Cambridge will attend the BBC’s Sports Personality Of The Year award show tonight in her first public engagement since leaving hospital.

She will present the main award and the lifetime achievement honour when Britain’s top sports stars gather to celebrate a year of sporting triumph.
The Duchess has not been seen in public since leaving the King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on December 6, where she received treatment for severe morning sickness.
Kate will attend tonight’s show in her role as an official ambassador of Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic team, St James’ Palace said.

Nipping out ... Kim shows off her perky boobs

KIM Kardashian boobs in a skin-tight frock which clings a little too closely to her chest.

The curvaceous reality TV star was seen strolling along a Miami street in the figure-hugging white pencil dress as she headed to film scenes for her latest TV show.
Kim teamed the sexy plunge necked design with simple nude stilettos and wore her hair loose and flowing around her shoulders for the outing.

This afternoon from friends of popular actress and Imo State SA on public affairs, Ms Nkiru Sylvanus, that she was kidnapped in owerri this morning. Nkiru was last seen on the set of a movie last night in Owerri. The kidnappers took her early this morning and have already made contact with her family. They are asking for N100million. Please say a prayer for her. More details coming..

Opa Williams undergoes successful surgery in India

A week after disclosing on his Facebook page that he was off to India for surgery (see it HERE), Nollywood producer and director Opa Williams has undergone successful surgery...for an undisclosed ailment. Opa's media reps said this weekend that the founder of Nite of a Thousand Laughs is hale and hearty and the doctors in India have given him a clean bill of health. He is expected back in Nigeria sometime this week.

Nollywood Missing As Enebeli Elebuwa’s Corpse Arrives Lagos + Exclusive Photos

Family members gather to recieve Elebuwa’s corpse

Nollywood was missing in action on Saturday, December 15, 2012 when the remains of late Nollywood actor, Enebeli Elebuwa arrived in the country.

The body which was safely kept in a brown casket, arrived at about 3pm at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja and was received by the children and few members of the family.

The actor’s colleagues, executives from the AGN, and friends who had been paying tributes since he passed on were conspicuously missing, as his remains were moved away in a make-shift Mercedes Benz ambulance.

Burial arrangements are yet to be made available by the family members.

Celebrities were present at the much talked about movie premiere of "Doctor Bello". The movie is all about finding the cure for cancer.

On Sunday 25th November 2012, Tony Abulu‘s latest movie, Doctor Bello, the cross-continental film centered around a cancer specialist, Dr. Michael Durant (played by Isaiah Washington) who comes to Nigeria to find the cure nestled on the peak of Nigeria’s sky mountains, premiered at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, Lagos.

Although the movie’s leading lady, Genevieve Nnaji wasn’t present at the premiere, other Nollywood stars including Stephanie Linus, Monalisa Chinda, Joseph Benjamin, Kunle Afolayan, Zack Orji, Patrick Doyle, Uru Eke, Emem Isong and Beverly Naya brought star power to the premiere.

Check out the photos

2007 West African Idol winner Timi Dakolo and his wife Busola escaped the ill-fated helicopter crash on saturday afternoon in bayelsa. It was gathered that the couple who attended Oronto Douglas' father's burial in Bayelsa were meant to fly on the same military chopper that claimed the lives of Governor Yakowa, Gen Azazi and others, but Timi decided at the very last minute to travel by road and not fly.
This isn't his instinct its God...

KAREN IGHO SLAPPED AND HARRASSED BY A GATE-MAN

I can only imagine how embarrassing it is to have a security harass someone for money in this very poor economy of ours, people indeed just want to make some shrewd money before the year ends caring less of how they make it

Karen igho who is one the winners of BBA6 reveals on her twitter handle with pictures how a security personnel harassed her for money at a Smirnoff party hosted by denrele in Lagos

In her tweets earlier today Dec 16th

P-Square, their elder brother Jude Okoye and members of their crew flew to Rwanda in private jet on Thursday for a concert that held in Kigali, Rwanda yesterday December 14th as part of the country’s ruling political party’s 25th anniversary celebrations. The photo on the left is Jude Okoye flaunting thousands of dollars in cash in the jet. That's how big boys roll...:-)

The Okoye boys played to a 52 thousand sitting capacity stadium. Amahoro Stadium in Kigali was packed full to watch P-Square in concert. See photos after the cut...

Reports have emerged that Adam Lanza (pictured left), had visited Sandy Hook Elementary the day before Friday's massacre during which he was involved in an altercation with four members of staff - three of whom are now dead. The fourth teacher wasn't at school yesterday and is currently being interviewed by investigators. Adam forced his way into the school where he murdered 26 people including; (clockwise) Principal Dawn Hochsprung, teachers Victoria Soto and Lauren Rousseau and school psychologist Mary Sherlach, before turning the gun on himself.

Adam also killed 12 girls, 8 boys - all first graders - all aged 6 and 7 years old. See the full list of victims and first photos of the tragic children after the cut...

Photo shots from the Holy GhostNight at the Redeemed Church Camp, Kilometre 30, Lagos Ibadan Expressway.

President Goodluck Jonathan came with a retinue of aides. Ondo state governor, Olusegun Mimiko also came with his wife.

The Holy Ghost Night boasts of attracting one million worshippers in the yearly event.

Saturday, December 15

PDP issues statement on death of Gov Yakowa, and former NSA Azazi

See the statement below...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed utter shock and devastating grief at the news of the death of the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and other prominent Nigerians, including the former National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi in a helicopter crash today.

Our great Party is shocked beyond imagination and no words can adequately give expression to the depth of our grief. What a colossal loss!

The actress turned 27 in November and most of you didn't believe it was her real age. Above is her WAEC certificate which has her age on it. She tweeted it. Believe her now? :-)

Unbelievable tragedy in Newtown! RIP to the little ones we lost..

I know you all have heard about the tragic event that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary school yesterday December 14th. 20 year old Adam Lanza (pictured below right) killed his mum at home and drove to the school in Newtown, Connecticut and opened fire on pupils and teachers, killing 26 people in all. 20 children between 5 to 10 years old and six adults, including the school principal; before killing himself.

Adam Lanza was dressed in black military gear and a bullet proof vest when he opened fire in the principal's office and then moved to a kindergarten classroom where his mother, Nancy, taught. The three guns (Glock and Sig Sauer revolvers and Bushmaster rifle) used in the shooting were legally purchased by Adam's mother, Nancy Lanza, whose body was found in the home she shared with Adam. This massacre is the worst involving little children in American history. How could something this horrible happen? Truly truly truly sad! Can't believe this guy went after defenseless little children. So heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to the mothers who lost their children and people who lost loved ones. May God bless the memory of all the victims.

D'banj and Don Jazzy open night clubs in Lagos

D'banj officially opened his night club called One Eleven yesterday. One Eleven is situated at 82 Adetokunbo Ademola Victoria Island, while Don Jazzy's club is called PoP also located in Victoria Island. PoP will be officially opened next week Friday December 21st

Genevieve Nnaji and dad

The actress posted this photo of herself and her dad on her Instagram page with the caption - My dad just turned 77. So grateful to God for life and good health

5 siblings burnt to death after mother locked them up inside room

From Punch

Five children between the ages of four and 12 were killed in an inferno in the Kirikiri area of Lagos State on Thursday.

Saturday PUNCH learnt that the five children, Emeka 12, Ifeanyi 10, Chinasa eight, Joy six, and Bright four, who are of the same parents, were burnt alive at their home located at 29 Comfort Oboh Street, Kirikiri. The parents of the victims were identified as Ogbonna and Margaret Igwuagwu.

Our correspondent learnt that although over 30 people live in the compound, which was completely consumed by the fire, only the five children died.

Above is the Tweet from Chika Ike to Ms Kardashian. Ms K replied..'you're so sweet, love you that..

Eh, so what's the big deal in that, Linda? There's no big deal o, just thought some of you might want to use the info to fry akara. Hehehe!

16 yr-old cable vandal survives electrocution

A 16-year-old boy, Terseer Iorparegh, was twa y caught stuck in a high tension cable while attempting to vandalize the PHCN cable along Naka road in Makurdi.

Vanguard gathered from the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Gabriel Suswam on Public Utilities, Mr. Gaddafi Asemanya who was at the scene said residents of the area were woken up by shout of help from the young man around 2.am on Thursday only to behold the teenager hanging between the high tension cable after he had suffered shock and first degree burns.

Agbani in Jewel by Lisa .. in Odion Mimonet, in IconicInvanity in Tiffany Amber

The former Miss World is currently in Port Harcourt where she is the official face of Carniriv - Rivers State Carnival.